Former mayors Mike Harcourt, Philip Owen, Sam Sullivan and Larry Campbell have all sent letters to the mayor and councillors and the parks board chair and commissioners in support of the current policy on cetaceans.

Some of Vancouver's recent mayors are wading into the debate over what to do with the whales and dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium.

On the eve of the next parks board meeting where the aquarium's policy relating to cetaceans will be debated further, former mayors Mike Harcourt, Philip Owen, Sam Sullivan and Larry Campbell have all sent letters to the mayor and councillors and the parks board chair and commissioners in support of the current policy on whales and dolphins.

"I'm writing to support our marvellous Vancouver Aquarium, in the face of a potential ill-conceived proposal to alter municipal policy in a way that will harm the Aquarium," Harcourt, also a former premier of B.C., wrote in a letter dated July 28.

"The potential policy change is to phase out, within three years, the Aquarium housing any already captured or wounded cetaceans, i.e. whales and dolphins.

"Even 'punting' this proposal to the next newly elected officials, after the Nov. 15 election, will only create unnecessary uncertainty for the Aquarium's invaluable activities.

"So just say no to this misguided campaign."

Harcourt noted that 18 years ago the Vancouver Aquarium was the world's first institution to pledge never to capture cetaceans from the wild.

"Only whales and dolphins that can't survive in the wild are living at the Aquarium," he said.

"Plus they are far better off than at any other facilities."

Harcourt urged the public to focus on the Aquarium's successes, which he said include:

* The Marine Mammal Rescue Center;

* Being the city's major tourism destination, largest cultural institution, and a globally recognized research and conservation centre;

* Operating in the black and not needing government subsidies, unlike its Canadian counterparts.

"Lastly," wrote Harcourt, "let the Vancouver Aquarium focus its people, resources and expertise, on its latest initiative — the Coastal Ocean Research Institute ... . A green city like Vancouver does not turn its back on nature. The conservation focused research and direct activities that are at the core of the Vancouver Aquarium are vital to the future of the oceans, life there, and indeed — to all of us."

Parks board chair Aaron Jasper said he welcomed the opinions of the former city politicians. "They are now private citizens and we welcome all comments for and against," Jasper said.

On Thursday the parks board meets to continue the discussion about what to do with the cetaceans at the facility.

Jasper said they have recently been given a 16,000-signature petition saying they should phase out the captivity of cetaceans.

"My email is overflowing," Jasper said of the intense debate over the future of whales and dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium.

He said it may be a while before a final decision is made, if it is done at all.

"There is a full spectrum of possibilities," he said of their final decision. "All options are on the table."

And Jasper said they acknowledge all the work the aquarium does to help marine life.

"No one wants to see them stop the good work they do," he said.

Non-Partisan Association mayoral contender Kirk LaPointe said Wednesday that he supported the Vancouver Aquarium’s cetacean policies. He slammed Mayor Gregor Robertson for having ignited the ongoing debate when he stated that the facility’s captive whales and dolphins should be phased out.

"His views have triggered a disruptive process that is costing the city’s taxpayers untold amounts of money in public hearings and consulting fees,” said Lapointe.

"It is time for the expense, disruption and uncertainty to stop and for the mayor to stand down from his efforts to change policy around keeping cetaceans at the Vancouver Aquarium."

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